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1.3 billion people in the world live without electricity, which makes energy access a crucial world problem that urgently needs a solution. This situation has created extra environmental, economic and social pressure.

The Project

Anaerobic digestion is a biological process witch breakdown the organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic digestion produces two main outputs: biogas which can be used in adapted stoves or for lighting and digest, a solid fraction that can be used as fertilizer.

The project its financed by Fundo Português de Carbono with the support of Cooperação Portuguesa, trough Camões - Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua e da Agência Portuguesa de Ambiente.

The overall aim of Bio&Energy is to reduce vulnerability to the impact of climate change in Sao Tome and Principe.

Ecovisao and the Sao Tome and Principe Directorate-General for the Environment have drawn up a work plan in order to properly implement the BIOENERGY project. The plan is based around four main actions.

To provide technicians and people with the tools they need to implement anaerobic digestion solutions.

Implementation

The selection of the communities was made based on a set of technical, economic and social criteria, namely:
- Size and number of households.
- The absence of electric energy provided by the network of the Water and Electricity Company of São Tomé and Príncipe (EMAE) and the absence of a medium/long-term expansion prediction.
- Mixed farming potential.
- Access to the community and organization of the houses.
- Proximity to the Natural Park of Obô of São Tomé and the relevant Buffer Zone.

Surveys to the Families - 126 families surveyed (531 people)

Surveys to the Families - 126 families surveyed (531 people)

Surveys to the Families - Coverage rate of the surveys: 98%

Surveys to the Families - Coverage rate of the surveys: 98%

Surveys to the Families - Coverage rate of the surveys: 98%

Characterization and weighing

Characterization and weighing

Characterization and weighing

Characterization and weighing

Based on systematized results of the surveys and the campaigns, a plan was drafted and five anaerobic digesters were installed in rural communities of the districts Mé-Zóchi, Cantagalo and Lembá, respectively: Novo Destino, Mendes da Silva and Santa Jenny.

In Santa Jenny and Novo Destino, the work carried out consisted of:

digging of the trench for placing the digesters

installing the digesters and the gas network

landfilling and outside arrangements.

In Mendes da Silva, the work carried out consisted of:

defining the most functional layout in the terrain

making support foundations for the upcoming constructions

building

installing the gas network

landfilling and outside arrangements.

Santa Jenny - Digging of the trench for placing the digesters

Santa Jenny - Installing the digesters and the gas network

Santa Jenny - Installing the digesters and the gas network

Santa Jenny - Installing the digesters and the gas network

Santa Jenny - Landfilling and outside arrangements

Santa Jenny - Landfilling and outside arrangements

Novo Destino - Digging of the trench for placing the digesters

Novo Destino - Digging of the trench for placing the digesters

Novo Destino - Installing the digesters and the gas network

Novo Destino - Installing the digesters and the gas network

Novo Destino - Installing the digesters and the gas network

Novo Destino - Installing the digesters and the gas network

Novo Destino - Landfilling and outside arrangements

Novo Destino - Landfilling and outside arrangements

Mendes da Silva - Defining the most functional layout in the terrain

Mendes da Silva - Defining the most functional layout in the terrain

Mendes da Silva - Defining the most functional layout in the terrain

Mendes da Silva - Defining the most functional layout in the terrain

Mendes da Silva - Making support foundations for the upcoming constructions

Mendes da Silva - Making support foundations for the upcoming constructions

Mendes da Silva - Making support foundations for the upcoming constructions

Mendes da Silva - Making support foundations for the upcoming constructions

Mendes da Silva - Building

Mendes da Silva - Building

Mendes da Silva - Building

Mendes da Silva - Building

Mendes da Silva - Building

Mendes da Silva - Building

Mendes da Silva - Installing the gas network

Mendes da Silva - Installing the gas network

Mendes da Silva - Landfilling and outside arrangements

Mendes da Silva - Landfilling and outside arrangements

Mendes da Silva - Landfilling and outside arrangements

Mendes da Silva - Landfilling and outside arrangements

In order to mobilize the different parties involved – Government, District Councils, Sector Entities and the Communities – to support the activities of the project, 3 official ceremonies were held to celebrate the beginning of the project, symbolised with the throwing of the first stone.

Mendes da Silva

Mendes da Silva

Mendes da Silva

Novo Destino

Novo Destino

Novo Destino

Santa Jenny

Santa Jenny

Santa Jenny

The communities‘ involvement in the daily operation of the digester, through the preparation of the residues and the water to be placed in the digester.
These elements are fundamental for the correct operation of the digesters and to assure the production of biogas.

Currently, 18 families, of a total of approximately 70 people, use biogas to cook, in replacement of wood, which is a deforestation precursor.

Training initiatives, development of leaflets and awareness-raising panels, and information exchange between target communities of the project were some of the means used to empower and raise awareness in the communities.